Corner trashcan

ABSTRACT

A trashcan can be configured to fit into the corner of a room. The trashcan can have a foot pedal that is connected to the lid of the trashcan such that a user can open and close the lid with the foot pedal. The trashcan can be configured such that the lid pivots about an axis that is generally parallel to one of the walls when the trashcan is positioned in the corner of a room. Additionally, the trashcan can include a dampening mechanism which includes two apertures having axes that are skewed relative to one another. This allows the pedal bar and associated lifting rod mechanisms to pivot about the appropriate axes to provide smooth and low friction operation.

This application is a non-provisional of and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/969,502, filed Aug. 31, 2007, the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

1. Field of the Inventions

The present inventions relate to receptacles, such as trashcans, and more particularly, to receptacles that are configured to fit into the corner of a room.

2. Description of the Related Art

Receptacles and other devices having lids or doors are used in a variety of different settings. For example, in both residential and commercial settings, trashcans and other devices often have lids or doors for protecting or preventing the escape of the contents of the receptacle. In the context of trashcans, some trashcans include lids or doors to prevent odors from escaping and to hide the trash within the receptacle from view. Additionally, the lid of trashcan can help prevent contamination from escaping the receptacle.

Many designs of such trashcans include a pedal actuated lid. In these designs, a user can step on a pedal to open the lid. Additionally, many of these designs also include a damper, such as a rotary damper or a gas damper, for slowing the closing motion of the lid and thereby preventing a loud slamming noise when the lid is moved from an open position to a closed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

As aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that with regard to receptacles that are shaped to be placed in the corner of a room, an advantage can be achieved by mounting the lid such that when it is opened, it lies approximately flat against one of the walls in a corner of the room. For example, such a trashcan have a lid that is hinged along its right side edge such that when the lid is opened, it lies generally flat against the wall on the right side of the can, i.e., the wall that would be on the left side of a user facing the front of the trashcan. In this position, the lid of the trashcan can act as a backboard when a user throws a piece of trash into the trashcan. Additionally, because this lid would be oriented on the left side of a user facing a trashcan, the backboard use of this lid is convenient for a user because most users are right-handed. A right-handed user would tend to throw a piece of trash across the front of their body toward the left side of their body. As such, the lid would be in a proper orientation to act as a backboard, thereby preventing trash from staining the wall.

Thus, in accordance with an embodiment, a trash can comprise a lower portion and a wall extending upwardly from the lower portion and defining a cavity, the wall defining a generally triangular cross-section with left and right sides joined at a first corner and extending generally normal to each other and a front side connecting distal ends of the left and right sides. A lid can be configured to close an upper end of the cavity defined by the wall. A hinge can be configured to allow the lid to pivot between open and closed positions, the hinge extending along an axis generally parallel to the right side and being mounted in the vicinity of an upper portion of the right side.

Another aspect of at least one of the invention herein includes the realization that a damper member can be provided with two apertures oriented in a skewed relation to one another so as to allow the damper to be mounted in an appropriate location to provide a balanced load on the pedal and provide a smooth, low-resistance, attachment for operating the lid opening mechanism. For example, in some embodiments, a trashcan can be generally triangular or pie-shaped with one corner of the triangle disposed toward a corner of a room and the pedal projecting outwardly at roughly 45° from that corner. In this orientation, the damper can be located in a portion of the trashcan adjacent the corner and oriented such that it is generally symmetrically oriented relative to the pedal. This provides a more optimum placement and load generation against the movement of the pedal and the associated lid. With the lid hinged to one of the sides of the trashcan adjacent a wall of the room, a lifting rod connecting an end of the pedal mechanism to the lid will pivot about an axis that is skewed relative to the aperture connecting the damper to the pedal. Thus, by providing another aperture skewed relative to the main aperture, for connecting the lifting rod to the damper, the lifting rod can operate in a smoother fashion.

In accordance with another embodiment, a trash can comprise a lower portion and a wall extending upwardly from the lower portion and defining a cavity. A lid can be disposed at an upper end of the wall and can be configured to be movable between an open position in the closed position. A pedal actuator assembly can be configured to allow a user to open and close the lid. A damping mechanism can be configured to slow the movement of the lid from the open position toward the closed position. The dampening mechanism can comprise a first member having first and second apertures skewed relative to each other. Additionally, the pedal actuator assembly can comprise a pedal bar having a first end connected to the first aperture and a link member having a first end connected to the second aperture.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, an air damper can comprise a housing defining an inner bore, a piston configured to reciprocate within the bore, and a piston rod connected to the piston. The piston rod can comprise first and second apertures extending along first and second axes, respectively, the first and second axes being skewed relative to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features of the inventions disclosed herein are described below with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the inventions. The drawings contain the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a top, front, and left-side perspective view of a receptacle in accordance with an embodiment, shown with its lid in an open position.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper end of the receptacle with the lid in the opened position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational view of the trashcan of FIG. 1, with a pedal mechanism and lid illustrated in phantom line and in an inner liner illustrated in solid line.

FIG. 4 is a top, front, and left-side perspective view of the liner illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom, rear, and left-side perspective view of the liner of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is another schematic side elevational view of the trashcan of FIG. 1, with the pedal mechanism and lid illustrated in phantom line and the liner illustrated in solid line and resting on top of a damper mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a front, top, and left-side perspective view of a base, a lifting rod, and a lid assembly of the trashcan of FIG. 1, with an outer shell of the trashcan removed.

FIG. 8 is a bottom, rear, and left-side perspective view of the components illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the components illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, with the pedal in a depressed position which corresponds to an open position of the lid.

FIG. 10 is a front, top, and left-side perspective view of a lower portion of a piston rod of the damper mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the damper mechanism, illustrated in a position corresponding to a closed position of the lid.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the damper mechanism of FIG. 10 in the position achieved when the lid is open.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the trashcan showing the relative orientations of a lower portion of the piston rod, a pedal bar, a lid hinge, and sides of the shell of the trash can of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating a motion of a portion of the damping mechanism and the lifting rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The embodiments of a receptacle with a lid configured to fit into a corner of a room is disclosed in the context of a trashcan. The inventions disclosed herein are described in the context of a trashcan because they have particular utility in this context. However, the inventions disclosed herein can be used in other contexts as well, including, for example, but without limitation, large commercial trashcans, food containers, and/or other types of storage devices, actuators, linkages for actuators, pistons, etc.

The figures illustrate embodiments of a receptacle 10. The receptacle 10 can include an outer shell 12 and an inner liner 14 (FIGS. 3-5) adapted to be retained within the outer shell 12.

The outer shell 12 can be optionally supported on a base 16. An upper support frame 18 can be secured to the top of the outer shell 12. The support frame 18 can be made from the same or a different material from that used to form the outer shell.

The outer shell 12 and the support frame 18 can be made from any material, such as, but without limitation, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, plastics, etc. Additionally, as noted above, the frame 18 can be made from a different material from that used from the shell 12.

The outer shell 12 can be formed in any configuration. The exemplary, non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a shell 12 having a generally three-sided triangular or pie-shaped configuration with a front wall 20, a right-side wall 22, and a left-side wall 24. The liner 14 can have generally the same or a different shape, roughly complimentary to the shape of the outer shell 12.

Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the transitions between the walls 20, 22, 24, are generally rounded. However, this is merely one optional configuration. The outer shell 12 can have sharp corners between the walls 20, 22, 24 and/or other configurations.

A lid 26 can be pivotally connected to an upper edge of the shell 12 or the frame 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 26 can be hinged to the frame 18 with a hinge device 28. Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 26 is hinged to the portion of the frame 18 disposed above the right-side wall 22 with the hinge device 28. The hinge device 28 can be any type of hinge, including, for example, but without limitation, two halves pivotally connected by a hinge pin. However, other configurations can also be used.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the lid 26 can also include a bracket 30, configured to connect the lid 26 to a lifting mechanism, described in greater detail below, for opening and closing the lid 26. In some embodiments, the bracket 30 can include a first leg 32 connected to the lid 26 and a second leg 34 connected to a lifting rod 36. In some embodiments, the leg 34 can include an aperture for receiving an upper end of the lifting rod 36.

As such, when the lifting rod 36 is pushed upwardly, the upper end of the rod 36 presses against the aperture, and thereby pivots the lid 26 upwardly about the hinge 28. Similarly, as the lid 26 closes, the lifting rod 36 can fall together with the leg 34 of the bracket 30.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the receptacle 10 can include a lid locking mechanism 38 configured to allow a user to lock the lid 26 in an open position (illustrated in FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 36 can be in the form of a simple pivoting member. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the lifting rod 36 and leg 34 can move reciprocally through an aperture 40. When the leg 34 is in the raised position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the locking mechanism 38 can be slid under a portion of the leg 34, thereby preventing the leg 34 from passing downwardly through the aperture 40. As such, the locking mechanism 38 locks the lid 26 in the open position. However, other configurations can also be used to form a locking device.

The frame 18 can also include a retaining lip 42 extending around an upper inner periphery of the frame 18. The lip 42 can be configured to engage with a corresponding lip on an outer surface of the liner 14 and thereby support the weight of the liner 14 and any contents thereof.

The frame 18 can also include finger recesses 44, 46 shaped in size to allow a user to easily insert their fingers below the upper lip on the outer surface of the liner 14, thereby allowing the user to easily lift the liner out of the receptacle 10. In some embodiments, the recesses 44, 46 can be disposed on opposite sides of the front wall 20 of the receptacle 10. However, other configurations can also be used.

Optionally, the receptacle 10 can also include an aperture 48 in any one of the walls 20, 22, 24 configured to allow a user to insert their fingers through the aperture 48 and thereby carry or move the receptacle 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture 48 is provided on wall 22, near the upper end of the shell 12, below the frame 18. However, other positions can also be used.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the receptacle 10 can also include a foot pedal assembly 50 configured to cooperate with the lifting rod 36 to open and close the lid 26. The foot pedal assembly 50 can include a foot pedal portion 52 and a pedal bar 54.

The pedal bar 54 can be pivotably coupled to the receptacle 10, for example, using a fulcrum rod 56, as is well known in the art. As such, the fulcrum rod 56 can define a pivot axis located at about a center of the pedal bar 54. In some embodiments, the pivot axis can be spaced from the center of gravity of the pedal bar 54. As such, the weight of the pedal bar 54 can be used to bias the orientation of the pedal bar toward a position corresponding toward the closed position of the lid 26. Optionally, other biasing devices can be used to bias the lid 26 toward the closed position.

The pedal bar 54 can be made from any material. Preferably, the pedal bar is made from a relatively heavy metal, so as to provide some ballast to the receptacle 10 and/or as noted above, a biasing effect for biasing the lid 26 toward the closed position. However, the pedal bar 54 can be made from any material, including light-weight material, such as plastic, aluminum, or heavier material such as steel, or any other metal or plastic or wood. The front end of the pedal bar 54 can be connected to the pedal member 52 in any known manner. The rear end of the pedal bar 54, on the other hand, can be connected to a dampening mechanism 60, described in greater detail below.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the receptacle can include an upper peripheral lip 60 configured to engage the inner peripheral lip 42 (FIG. 2) of the frame 18. In some embodiments, the liner 14 can include a plurality of stiffening ribs 62 configured to reinforce the lip 60.

In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 5, a bottom 64 of the liner 14 can include a recessed area 66 configured to engage a projection on the top of the dampening mechanism 60 (FIG. 3). As such, the recessed portion 66 can engage the projection and thereby rest in the position illustrated in FIG. 6, which can help a user adjust the liner 14 and/or install a new trash bag into the liner 14. Additionally, with reference to FIG. 5, the liner 14 can include a bag retention aperture 70, the aperture 70 can include a plurality of deflectable petals 72, configured to engage a portion of a plastic bag pushed through the aperture 70. As such, a plastic bag can be more securely retained on the liner 14.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, as noted above, the base 16 can be configured to pivotally support the pedal assembly 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 16 includes a raised upper wall 80 that can include an outer peripheral wall 82 and a tapered inner wall 84. The outer wall 82 can be configured to rest against the shell 12. The inner tapered wall 84 can be tapered so as to guide the lower end of the liner 14 (FIG. 5) into a centered position as it is lowered into the receptacle 10. However, other configurations can also be used.

As shown in FIG. 7, the base 16 can also include a damper mounting portion 90 configured to receive the dampening mechanism 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the damper mounting portion 90 includes a platform 92 which includes an aperture (not shown) through which a portion of the dampening mechanism 60 extends. A lower end of the dampening mechanism can be connected to the rear end of the pedal bar 54.

With reference to FIG. 8, the base 16 can include a plurality of walls 94, 96 defining a channel in which the pedal bar 54 can be disposed. Optionally, the base 16 can include a plurality of additional stiffening ribs 98 extending in a generally radial direction away from the walls 94, 96, to the outer periphery of the base 16 to provide further stiffening of the base 16. However, other configurations can also be used.

The base 16 can also include one or a plurality of legs 100 configured to support the base 16 on a flat surface, such as a floor. However, other configurations can also be used. In some embodiments, the base 16 can include a peripheral skirt portion 102 disposed below the outer peripheral wall 82 so as to provide a clean aesthetically pleasing outer appearance. As noted above, the fulcrum rod 56 can be supported by the base 16 to allow the pedal bar 54 to pivot thereabout.

With reference to FIG. 9, as noted above, a rear end of the pedal bar 54 can be connected to a dampening mechanism 60. In some embodiments, the rear end of the pedal bar 54 includes a pivot rod 110 that connects to an aperture disposed in the lower portion of the dampening mechanism 60. In the position illustrated in FIG. 9, the pedal bar 54 is pressed downwardly at the end on which the pedal member 52 is mounted, thereby pressing the rear end of the pedal bar 54 upwardly, which in turn, pushes the lifting rod 36 upwardly opening the lid 26.

FIG. 10 illustrates an optional design for a lower portion 112 of the dampening mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. 10, the lower portion 112 of the dampening mechanism 60 can include first and second apertures 114, 116 that are skewed relative to one another. For example, the aperture 114 can be configured to receive the pin 110 (FIG. 9) mounted at the rear of the pedal bar 54. On the other hand, the aperture 116 can be configured to receive a lower end of the lifting rod 36. These two apertures 114, 116 are disposed at skewed angles relative to one another, described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 10, the aperture 114 can have an O-void or oblong bore. For example, the aperture 114 can include two centers of radiuses 120, 122. As such the pin 110 can slide transversely to the vertical direction of FIG. 10. This allows the lower portion 112 of the dampening mechanism 62 to follow a generally vertical path as it is pushed upwardly by the pin 110. In other words, because the pedal bar 54 pivots about the fulcrum rod 56, the pin 110 follows a generally arcuate path. Thus, when the pedal bar is moved from the closed position to the open position, the pin 110 translates in a lateral direction relative to the aperture 114, for example, between the centers 120, 122, as the lower portion 112 moves in a more purely vertical direction. Thus, the lower end of the lifting rod 36 is also pushed in a more purely vertical direction.

In some embodiments, the lower portion 112 can include additional stiffening walls 126, 128 to provide additional stiffness for the lower portion 112.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the lower portion 112 can define a lower end of a piston assembly 140 of the dampening mechanism 60. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the lower portion 112 can include, at its upper end, an air piston 142, with the lower portion 112 forming a piston rod for the piston 142. The piston 142 is disposed within a housing 144 having an internal bore 146. The bore 146 and the piston 142 are sized such that the piston 142 can move reciprocally within the bore 146.

For example, the piston 142 can be sized to fit snuggly within the bore 146. In some embodiments, the piston 142 can be configured to provide relatively little resistance to the upward movement of the piston 142, but provide greater resistance against the downward movement of the piston 142. This can be accomplished in any known manner.

For example, the piston 142 can be formed from a pair of plate members having an outer diameter that is close to the inner diameter of the bore 146. A lubricant can be disposed in the housing 144 so as to reduce the sliding friction between the outer edges of the piston plates 142 and the inner bore 146. In some embodiments, the piston 142 can include check valves to allow air to pass through the piston 142 during the upward movement of the piston 142 but to generate resistance against the flow of air through the piston 142 during the downward movement of the piston 142.

In some embodiments, this effect can be provided by a lip seal 148 which can be connected to an outer periphery of the piston 148 and can be configured to operate similarly to a check valve. Such a design is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/475,349 filed Jun. 27, 2006 published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0012699A1 on Jan. 18, 2007, the contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. Additionally, the disclosure of the lip seal as incorporated into the housing of the damper, its manufacture and use are incorporated herein by reference. The lip seal from the U.S. 2007/0012699A1 publication can also be used as the lip seal 148 of FIG. 12 herein. Thus, a further description of the lip seal 148 is not repeated herein.

With reference to FIG. 13, as noted above, the respective axes of the apertures 114, 116, can be skewed relative to each other. To illustrate this relationship, FIG. 13 is a schematic top plan view of the lower portion 112 and its location relative to the shell 12, hinge 28 and pedal bar 54.

As shown in FIG. 13, the aperture 116 extends along an axis 150. Additionally, the aperture 114, in the illustrated embodiment includes two axes 120, 122. As described above, the use of an oblong cross-section aperture provides clearance for the pin 110 (FIG. 9) to slide laterally during operation of the pedal bar 54.

In some embodiments, the relative angles A between the axis 150 and axes 120, 122 can be any angle, depending on the configuration of the receptacle 10. In some embodiments, the angle A can be about 45°.

A 45° orientation can provide additional advantages. For example, also illustrated in FIG. 13, is the longitudinal axis 160 of the pedal bar 54. Additionally, the hinge device 28 connecting the lid 26 to the frame 18 is also illustrated along with its axis 162. Finally, the shell 12 is illustrated in phantom line as well as walls of a room that form a corner C.

With the receptacle 10 placed such that the shell 12 has its rear corner disposed adjacent to corner C of a room, which is formed by walls that extend in a generally 90° angle, the axis 162 of the hinge device 28 extends generally parallel to one of the walls. Additionally, axis 160 of the pedal bar 54 extends generally directly toward the corner C, roughly at a 45° angle relative to the walls and the axis 162. In this orientation, although not illustrated in FIG. 13, the longitudinal axis of the pin 110 extends through the aperture 114 generally parallel to the axes 120, 122.

Additionally, the lower end of the lifting rod 36 extends through the aperture 116 generally parallel to the axis 150. Thus, during operation, the lower end of the lifting rod 36 and the upper end of the lifting rod 36 can pivot about axes that are parallel to the axis 150 and axis 162. Thus, the pedal bar 54 and the pin 110 pivot about axes that are parallel with each other and the lower and upper end of the lifting rod 36 as well as the lid 26 also pivot about axes that are parallel with each other, while the lower portion 112 moves in a generally vertical direction. This provides a smooth operation as well as a secure fixation of the spacing between the apertures 114, 116.

With the apertures 114, 116 disposed in the lower portion 112, which is formed as a single component, these apertures are fixed relative to each other. In some embodiments, the lower portion 112, including the apertures 114, 116, can be formed from a single monolithic piece of material, such as a plastic, metal or any other material. However, in other embodiments, the components of the lower portion 112, including those components forming the apertures 114, 116, can be from separate components connected together.

FIG. 14 illustrates a motion of the lifting rod 36 during vertical movement of the lower portion 112. For example, in FIG. 14, the lower portion 112 is illustrated in solid line, in the lower position, i.e., the position corresponding to a closed position of the lid 26. The open position of the lid 26 is illustrated in phantom line, along with the corresponding orientation of the lifting rod 36 and the aperture 116.

As noted above, the lower end of the lifting rod 36 pivots about the axis 150 as the lower portion 112 moves in a vertical direction. For example, as is apparent from FIG. 14, the lifting rod pivots slightly in a counterclockwise direction when the lower portion 112 is moved from the lower position to the upper position.

Additionally, the upper end of the lifting rod 36 pivots about an axis 170. Thus, during movement from the lower portion from the lower position to the upper position, the upper end of the lifting rod 36 also pivots in a clockwise direction about the axis 170. These pivoting motions, about the axes 150, 170 are both parallel to the axis 162 of the hinge device 128.

Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of these inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combination or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. 

1. A trash can comprising a lower portion and a wall extending upwardly from the lower portion and defining a cavity, a lid disposed at an upper end of the wall and configured to be movable between an open position in the closed position, a pedal actuator assembly configured to allow a user to open and close the lid, a damping mechanism configured to slow the movement of the lid from the open position toward the closed position, the dampening mechanism comprising a first member having first and second apertures skewed relative to each other, the pedal actuator assembly comprising a pedal bar having a first end connected to the first aperture and a link member having a first end connected to the second aperture.
 2. The trashcan according to claim 1, where in the first aperture extends along a first axis and the second aperture extends along a second axis, the first and second axes being skewed relative to each other.
 3. The trash can according to claim 2, wherein the first and second axes extend at an angle of about 45° relative to each other.
 4. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the wall extends in a generally annular shape and has first and second sides that meet at a corner and are generally normal to each other, the wall further comprising a third side connecting distal ends of the first and second sides, the pedal actuator assembly comprising a foot pedal disposed in a central portion of the third side.
 5. The trash can according to claim 4, where in the dampening mechanism is disposed adjacent to the corner.
 6. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the first member defining both the first and second apertures is made from a monolithic piece of material.
 7. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the first member defines a piston rod of the dampening mechanism.
 8. A trash can comprising a lower portion and a wall extending upwardly from the lower portion and defining a cavity, the wall defining a generally triangular cross-section with left and right sides joined at a first corner and extending generally normal to each other and a front side connecting distal ends of the left and right sides, a lid configured to close an upper end of the cavity defined by the wall, a hinge configured to allow the lid to pivot between open and closed positions, the hinge extending along an axis generally parallel to the right side and being mounted in the vicinity of an upper portion of the right side.
 9. The trash can according to claim 8, wherein an inner surface of the lid acts as a backstop when it is in the open position to prevent trash from striking a wall of a room adjacent to the right side when a person throws trash toward the inner surface of the lid with their right hand.
 10. The trash can according to claim 8, where in the lid is configured to close substantially the entire open upper end of the cavity defined by the wall.
 11. The trash can according to claim 8, wherein the lid is made from a single piece of material.
 12. An air damper comprising a housing defining an inner bore, a piston configured to reciprocate within the bore, and a piston rod connected to the piston, the piston rod comprising first and second apertures extending along first and second axes, respectively, the first and second axes being skewed relative to each other.
 13. The air damper according to claim 12, where in the first aperture comprises an oblong cross-section.
 14. The air damper according to claim 13, where in the first aperture is connected to a pedal bar of a trash can.
 15. The air damper according to claim 14, where in the second aperture is connected to a lifting rod of the trash can.
 16. The air damper according to claim 14, where in the trash can is triangular.
 17. The air damper according to claim 16, were in the trashcan includes a lid connected to the trashcan with a hinge, an axis of the hinge being parallel to the second aperture. 